When I am with the grandkids on an adventure - I love to capture the walking down the path pictures as they are so visual of the journey of LIFE and LOVE we are on with Christ! This day last week with the gloious clouds in the sky and the crops coming up nicely, due to the good rains we have gotten... I was behind the older 3 pushing little Rose in her stroller for her first ever pature adventure! She has already had her first "running through mudpuddle adventure" after a big rain. She seemed to turn her head to listen to the glee, and laughter, and splashing of her brothers and sister as they ran back and forth through the water. She truly does "listen" to their LOVE and LIFE which has surrounded her always - even within the womb she could not only hear her mother's voice, but also the commotion of her loving and living family! She seems to calm, and starting to smile, and look at them... when they are with her, and touching her, and kissing her! A family that is "set solidly on the rock." Today's Gospel is from Matt 7, and is the one about the house built on rock or sand. It is kind of funny in a way as we are heading up to our cabin on Lake Michigan, and there is not much doubt that it is built on the sand... Yes, a foundation was dug and cement put at its' base but to be realistic- it is in the midst of a sanddune and built on sugar sand! There is not much doubt that a huge storm could push it down, but being on the inland sea - Lake Michigan - it likely won't ever be a tropical storm or hurricane there.
Today Ruth and Paul and their 4 kids are heading out to Michigan. Praying for safe travels! It is also the day that our son in law, Joe, is heading out to Alghanistan! Our heart is with his family as they say goodbye. Lord, protect him and be with them as they are seperated one from the other. Maria and the kids will be coming to join us for our time in Michigan on Sunday, so we are overjoyed to have them here in the bosom of their loving extended family. So many conflicting and deep emotions on this day and need for constant prayer! We cling to Our Lord and Our Spiritual Mother, Mary Most Holy! "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock." Matt 7: 21-29 There is no option of leaving Christ's Church, and Word, and Truth behind, when the storms of life beat against us! We find our HOPE, PEACE, JOY there and there alone! "How did you keep your faith in God in the midst of John's brain cancer?" We are asked. To me that is crazy to even think about - How would we have survived or John found healing without our holding onto the ROCK of faith... Jesus Christ with his Bride the Church? That was where we found the ability to put one foot in front of the other and follow the path to cancer/healing!
Jesus, it is overwhelming to see how we are blessed with all that we need, if we build our house on the rock! There can be no doubt or worry... as you are with us, and give us ALL that we need! You are the Way, The Truth, and the LIFE! We are never alone, and can find comfort in Your Word each day; Your Sacraments of LIFE and LOVE and Forgiveness; in the gift of prayer and the devotionals that are so rich and powerful - for me the rosary is my lifeline for prayer; in the Saints that walk with us always - today St Irenaeus is specially memorialized, and shows us how to cling to the ROCK; also the angels are all around us protecting and guiding us through life! Our prayers one for the other also are the wind beneath our wings! How can we ever doubt of your LOVE and Direction in our lives? You are always directing us on the Path of LIFE as we follow after you carrying our Most Cherished Cross! We know that you are surrounding Maria's family this day of departure. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb This went so deeply into my inner cathedral/sanctuary... the feeling of the precious little life in my arms, the sound of the wonderful gurgling steam - much like the sound of the water in the new baptismal font at church, the beauty of a glorious summer day with no bugs, the sound of children enjoying each other on a beautiful day, and the beads of prayer to my Spiritual Mother at the side of her Son, passing through my fingers and prayer in my soul! A GIFT as I am built on the ROCK!
"The Law of the Truth was in his mouth; no dishonesty was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and peace, and turned many away from evil."
Mal 2:6 This is speaking of St Ireneaus, and may he intercede, and show us how to give our all for Christ!
"I long to see you a strong stone, with your foundation in that gentle firm rock, Christ Jesus. You know that a stone or building set on sand or soil is tumbled by the slightest wind or rain. So it is with people whose foundation is in the transitory things of this dark passing life that pass away as quickly as the wind or as dust thrown into the wind. Every little difficulty knocks them down. We were like that when our foundation was in self-centeredness, which is the most wicked wound and leprosy we can have. It is the leprosy that weakens and kills all the virtues...So my soul longs to see you set on the living rock...He is a master architect who knows what we need, he wants nothing else but that we be made holy. Whatever he gives and permits - whether temptation from the devil, or being tried and hounded by other people, or hurt or abuse or any other sort of trouble - he gives and permits it for our good... Without this rock we cannot live. And because he is united as one with the Father, this Son is so sweet that in him, in his sweetness, everything bitter becomes sweet. In him is living mortar, not sand or soil."
St Catherine of Siena (1380)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5unzXXC0k With all the water - the well by Casting Crowns just seems to be it for today!
Isaiah 55: 1-2
Invitation to the Thirsty
55 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare."
"He can move a moutain..."
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